MSJC women face challenge in state semifinal

SAN JACINTO  Mt. San Jacinto College sophomore Destiny Melton has no trouble meeting new people these days.

Ever since her Lady Eagles women’s basketball team punched its ticket to the state’s final four last Saturday, Melton has been greeted by strangers around campus.

"A lot of people know who we are even though we have no idea who they are,” Melton said.

Melton may attract more attention after this weekend if her Eagles (29-2) can leave Sacramento with a state championship. MSJC plays Northern California’s top seed Santa Rosa (27-6) in the semifinals at 7 p.m. in the state junior college's final four.

If victorious, MSJC would meet the Mt. San Antonio College-Fresno City winner in the title game Sunday at Cosumnes River College.

Following an outright Foothill Conference championship (13-1), the Eagles breezed through their first three postseason contests, winning by an average margin of 16 points. In the Southern California regional final, MSJC reached its first-ever final four by ousting Moorpark with a convincing 61-42 triumph.

On Saturday, the Eagles’ high output offense, which ranks sixth in the state in points per game (72.0), clashes against a Santa Rosa team that has the stingiest defense in California.

The Bear Cubs rank first in the state in both points allowed per game (44.1) and opponents’ field goal percentage (31.1 percent).

Eagles coach Chris Mozga admits Santa Rosa is the toughest defense they will have faced all season.

"They like to crash the boards,” Melton said. “They like to box out. We have to stay active and we have to crash the boards even harder and make sure we get to every loose ball.”

Forwards Melton and Kerah Natividad figure to play key roles in the game as rebounders. Both Natividad (10.2 rebounds/game) and Melton (9.1 rebounds/game) are often the starting point for the Eagles’ up-tempo, transition offense that revolves around the Fantroy sister guard duo.

"That’s what we have to try and work on there, these next few days, trying to dictate tempo a little bit,” said Mozga, whose Eagles are on a 12-game winning streak. “We like to play faster than most teams do. We gotta make sure we defensive rebound so we can get out and run in transition some.”

Tina Fantroy, the Foothill Conference MVP, ranks third in the state with an average of 21.7 points per game.

“She can shoot 3s,” Mozga said. “She can get to the rim. She scores in a lot of different ways for us.”

Her sister, Faith, is the facilitator at point guard, averaging 7.4 assists per game (No. 2 in the state).

Although the Fantroys are known for lighting up the scoreboard with their production, this game might come down to the offensive rebounding efforts of Melton and Natividad versus a smothering Santa Rosa defense.

“I love to rebound and I love to make sure my team gets second chance opportunities,” Melton said. “As long we’re more physical and we’re more active and we run the floor, it will be great.”

While the Eagles don’t plan on changing their modus operandi, Melton is sticking with her superstitious game routine that she has used all season long.

“Every game, I make sure I wear the same shoes,” Melton said. “I have the same game socks, the same scrunchie, I have the same headband. I do the same routine before every game. I wear one headband and right before the game, I switch to the other headband. I make sure I wash everything right after the game so it’s ready for the next game already.”